Welcome to CromwellCentral Otago

Located deep in the heart of Central Otago in the valley of Upper Clutha, Cromwell is a special place. Rugged mountains, the meeting of two rivers and the pristine waters of Lake Dunstan - the natural beauty of the area is overwhelming.

The Cromwell basin is home to a host of award-winning wineries; enjoy the scenery while enjoying some the worlds finest Central Otago Pinot Noir. The area also has a rich heritage with remnants of goldfields that will take you on a journey to the past. Wander down to the historic Cromwell Heritage Precinct for a selection of boutique shops, art galleries and cosy cafes.

Lake Dunstan it is an idyllic location for swimming, fishing, boating and water sports in summer. In winter, there are five fantastic skifields all within comfortable driving distances. It is also home to the famous Highland's Motorsport Park, a popular visitor attraction with activities for the whole family.

Cromwell's central location makes it an excellent base for exploring the wider Central Otago area, allowing for easy day trips to nearby towns such as Queenstown, Arrowtown, Wanaka and Clyde.

Check out our ﻿events calendar﻿so you don't miss out on all the cool stuff that happens in Cromwell.

Latest News

As harvest season for Central Otago olives approaches, Tarras growers Nicola Mulvena and Simon Gibbard have to start thinking about stocking their pantry as well as caring for their heavily-fruiting trees.

Cromwell's wines have a growing international reputation, the good word being partly spread through events like Pinot 2017. Aurum Wines hosted many delegates from this event recently at their boutique, organic vineyard, where French winemaker Lucie Lawrence delights in weaving her own style of winemaking magic.

Ola Hoglund and Marie Simberg-Hoglund have been creating stunning glass art for over thirty years. Recently they set up a new gallery near Cromwell where they will continue their craft. Followers of their work will be eager to see how the rugged beauty of Central Otago may be captured and expressed in new works.

Cromwell's Cherry Festival is a summer holiday tradition. On New Year's Eve eighty-five contestants had a go at cherry stone spitting and many visitors joined in the pie eating, face painting and guessing the cherries in the jar. Thank-you to Jackson's Orchard for sponsoring the event and to all our volunteers who run it.

When only the best will do...Cromwell's climate has proven ideal for growing high quality peonies...so much so they are now in demand by some of the world's most particular buyers